McCain has been relying instead on the endorsement of Samuel Joe Wurzelbacher, better known as Joe the Plumber, to drive home his economic message that Sen. Barack Obama's tax policies are more intent on "spreading the wealth" rather than rewarding hard work.

Prominent McCain Backer Eagleburger Offers Faint Praise for Palin

While still drawing large rally crowds and continuing to excite the conservative base, Gov. Sarah Palin may be weighing on the Republican ticket in its appeal to independents, often a key to victory in battleground states.

A New York Times poll mirrors the ABC/Post poll from last week that found growing numbers of voters disapprove of McCain's choice for vice president, believing that she isn't qualified for the job.

"It's clear across a range of polls now that the Palin choice has hurt John McCain with some of the voters he was targeting, some of those undecideds, women voters," ABC News chief Washington correspondent George Stephanopoulos told "Good Morning America."

"While Joe Biden seems to have helped make people feel better about Barack Obama, the pick of Sarah Palin seems to have made them feel worse about John McCain," Stephanopoulos said.

McCain came to his running mate's defense when asked on "GMA" about comments by former Secretary of State Lawrence Eagleburger, a McCain supporter, who criticized Palin's qualifications for vice president.

"Give her some time in office and I think she will be adequate," Eagleburger told National Public Radio. "I can't say she will be a genius in the job."

"Larry has never had a chance to meet Sarah," McCain told "GMA." "She has more experience than Sen. Obama and Sen. Biden put together."

Palin has been a favorite of the party's conservative base, however, leading to speculation about tension between McCain and Palin camps as the duo trail in the polls during the final grueling days of the campaign.

Earlier this week, Palin predicted victory during an interview with ABC News' "20/20."

"If it doesn't happen, Elizabeth Vargas asked her about the future," "GMA" anchor Robin Roberts said to McCain. "And she said she's not doing this for naught. Gov. Palin is not doing this for naught. Do you think she is the face of the Republican Party going forward?"

"I think to a large degree as vice president or, o r..." McCain said with a chuckle, trailing off before concluding, "She's united our country to a large degree. And she's in many ways an inspirational figure."

McCain also said Palin's background as governor of a small state was not a drawback.

"I would remind you, there was an obscure governor of a small state called Arkansas that everybody said wasn't qualified," he said, referring to former President Bill Clinton. "I didn't vote for him, but he got elected and re-elected."

McCain Launches Final Weekend in Ohio; Obama Looks to Expand Map

McCain began his Halloween campaigning in Ohio, which he has made a must-win state for his White House ambitions.

The Arizona senator will be flanked by prominent Republicans at several points over four rallies in the Buckeye State as the campaign heads into its final weekend. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will be on the trail to support McCain.

The candidate will also make an appearance this weekend on "Saturday Night Live," which has become an essential stop for candidates.

Two top Republicans the public won't see this weekend: President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney. Bush remains in Washington as Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain fight to become his successor, and Cheney will be in Wyoming.

McCain released a new ad today featuring praise from an unlikely source -- Obama.

The ad, which will be shown in key battleground states, shows Obama praising McCain for his stand on climate change and that Obama often believes McCain is right.

Both McCain and Obama have been flooding the airwaves in the final lap of the 2008 presidential race, and a study by the Wisconsin Ad Project shows that McCain is being outspent by Obama by nearly three to one.

The Wisconsin Ad Project said that $38 million was spent on TV ads by both candidates and outside groups during a seven day period from Oct. 21 to Oct. 28. Most of that money, $21 million, was spent by Obama, the project said.

In addition, Obama is launching new ads in traditionally Republican strongholds, including McCain's home state of Arizona, as well as in North Dakota and Georgia.

-- This embed didnt make it to copy for story id = 6154800.
-- This embed didnt make it to copy for story id = 6154800.
-- This embed didnt make it to copy for story id = 6154800.
-- This embed didnt make it to copy for story id = 6154800.
-- This embed didnt make it to copy for story id = 6154800.
-- This embed didnt make it to copy for story id = 6154800.
-- This embed didnt make it to copy for story id = 6154800.
-- This embed didnt make it to copy for story id = 6154800.
-- This embed didnt make it to copy for story id = 6154800.